In this post, we're going to look at the original holster designed for both models of the PA35. Referred to the Model 1937 holster by collectors and simply the "holster" in the 1939 Provisional Notice (manual), it's official designation according to page 15 of the June, 1961 "Nomenclature of Military Equipment" is the Model 1935-37 and it's part number is 159-021 412 001:
It's the sixth item from the bottom:
The holster was designed to hold the pistol, cleaning rod, and two extra magazines:
Notice that the rear of the holster has two belt loops and two steel d-rings. This is a modification from how it was originally manufactured. When new, the arrangement was, to quote the Provisional Notice:
"Two loops for the regulation belt, one with a ring and a pin buckle, the other with a retaining tab."
The ring and pin buckle would have been mounted to bottom and top of the right belt loop respectively and both were steel. The tab was leather, had a button hole cut, and was mounted at the top of the left belt loop facing to the left. These items were on there so that the holster would properly attach to the 1935 equipment harness.
However, the one pictured here has had both belt loops replaced, the pin buckle and tab removed, and a steel ring has been installed at the top of each belt loop. The 1935-37 holster is seldom encountered anymore but the few that are out there are sometimes in original configuration, sometimes in this configuration, and I've even seen them with no rings, buckles, or tab at all, just two belt loops. The modifications I've seen are always very professionally done and my belief is that this was done after the war by the French in order to simplify it because of changes in their equipment harness. When we look at the Mle 1945 holster, you'll see just how simple the back of that holster is and that is why I think the changes were made to this one.
It's also possible that this one was modified for cavalry use because of a little gem I found tucked away in one of the magazine holders. More on that in a bit.
Whatever the case, when and why these modifications were made will probably never be known. All we can do is speculate.
Flap open showing the accommodation for two spare magazines:
There are two stamps on the flap, one round and one oval, but they are all but impossible to read. Here's the best shot I can get of the round one:
After extremely close examination of the stamps under different lighting conditions and varying magnification I can just make out a 38 or maybe 39 as the date. I wouldn't testify to that under oath though.
Here are two angles of the pistol and magazines nestled:
You can see that the holster absolutely swallows both the pistol and magazines and I'm sure it does a great job keeping debris out. I'm also certain that it would be a HUGE pain getting your pistol out and into your hand for use under combat conditions!
To remove the pistol, you pull up on a leather removal strap. Below, I've pulled the strap as far as it will go to illustrate how much it raises the pistol for removal:
With the pistol present and the flap secured, we can see a bulge in the flap from the magazines inside:
I'm sure that would somewhat stretch the leather over time so I'm thinking this holster saw little use when new. There are dark marks from the magazines though so it must have seen some service. I also know that service must have been French because of a partial document I found crinkled up inside one of the magazine holders:
I can't read cursive French but I know some of you can. Please tell me what this says. I at least know the writer was in a cavalry unit:
The other side lists such things as a Mle1892 revolver, automatic pistols (P.A.), sabers, 1924-29 machineguns, V.B. rifle grenades, and 60mm mortars:
We'll finish up with the Mle 1935-37 holster in the next post by examining some details.